Fitzpatrick’s was established in 1890 and is the home of “Sarsaparilla”. and Britain’s last original temperance bar…........so you say….”never heard of it”?????............well I feel sorry for you!!!!!! Get yourself up to wildest Lancashire, to a town called ‘Rawtenstall’.......no I’m not kidding!!!!!...you will find it on the map (I think)!!! When you get there go straight to Fitzpatrick’s…before you forget ( because the Lancashire air can do that to you)!!! Anyway, once inside you will be whisked back in time to another age….for me it was 6yrs of age…..the liquid nectar tasted just as I had remembered…ah,bliss!!!....all my old favourites like ‘dandelion & burdock’ and the like….not the mass produced stuff you buy in bottles at the supermarket….but the real macoy…...some of this stuff will” blow your socks off ”!!!!! When you have had your fill, go for a walk around this delightful town and see some of the sights…..................you’ll be amazed!!! then hurry back to taste some more offerings from this quaint old shop. Fitzpatrick’s accredited Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall has been making soft drinks for the people of Rossendale and the Lancashire regions for 116 years. With no tax on alcohol, Great Britain fell under the trance of cheap ale and gin. The population, usually the working classes, could afford to be as drunk as they liked and alcoholism was amongst the greatest problems faced by Victorian England. A methodist Cheese-maker in Preston, Lancashire set about establishing a society under which a pledge was taken never to drink alcohol. The society quickly grew and expanded beyond churches and became a part of the every day life of the sober British. The Temperace Bar was the Social outlet. Citizens of the British Empire would drink Sarsaparilla and Ginger beer and the Band of Hope children sang rousing songs about the demon drink. Temperance bars were a booming trade and became a part of every day life on the high street in many towns. The Fitzpatrick’s were a family of herbalists who emigrated from Ireland to Lancashire in the 1800’s and were counted as being the leaders of the Temperance Bar. Using the knowledge passed down through the family they sold their uniquely blended recipes in the Lancashire region. The present owner Chris has owned the propery for approxiamately 5 years and visited the shop often as a child with his grandfather, who was great friends of Malachi Fitzpatrick. Since owning the shop he has had a wish to make Fitzpatrick’s cordials available nationwide. He is on his way to achieving this by producing 500ml cordial bottles in six delicious flavours to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. More recently, (October 06), he has come a little closer to his goals by becoming available on the local high streets through a wholesale, distribution company called the (Tree of Life.) Fitzpatrick’s are also famous for being one of the last traditional English herb stores. Buy them loose, tailored to suit your requirements. I’m sure you will be able to taste a difference. Along with the normal varieties Sage, Marjoram. Garam masala, there are the not so usual like Dandelion root, Wormwood, Valerian, Scullcap and many other varieties in whatever quantities you require. There has been many travellers, chefs, M.P’s., film and T.V. celebs and camera and radio station crew tasted a hot or cold drink from Fitzpatrick’s bar. Not only has it become important on the national tourist route but has invited people through its door from Europe, Asia, America and even Australia, where it has enjoyed network T.V. coverage. All of the drinks have and are still being enjoyed by both the old and young alike, bringing the generations together. Sarsaparilla is one of those tastes you either love or not but don’t worry as there are many other flavours to choose from. Once you find a favourite you’ll be back for more. This is why Fitzpatrick’s has survived for so long. Go along and see for yourself, you will soon be captivated by the smells and tastes of a bygone age and don’t forget to place your name in the visitors book, so as to be marked down for posterity…...................and possible proof that you do occasionally drink something that is none alchoholic!!!!!!!!!!

Monday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Wednesday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday Closed

Fitzpatrick’s
5 Bank Street,
Rawtenstall,
Rossendale,
Lancashire,
BB4 6QS,
Tel: 01706 231836
Email: chris@fitzpatricks1890.co.uk